The Hallmark Channel has always been associated with wholesome entertainment.
When the network started airing same-sex wedding ads to promote Zola.com, conservative groups were outraged, eventually forcing the channel to pull all of the same-sex ads from the campaign.
Not This Time Liberals
Honestly, this is more about parenting than it is anything else.
Most parents, at least responsible parents, do not want to leave it up their TV to explain the facts of life to their children.
Considering that this is arguably the busiest time of the year for Hallmark Channel viewing by children, putting ads with a same-sex couple on the TV screen can be perceived as troubling.
Hallmark is doing wall-to-wall Christmas movies this time of year and plenty of TVs in homes with children sitting in front of them will be tuned in, so the concern is understandable.
One Million Moms stated, “The Hallmark Channel has always been known for its family-friendly movies.
“Even its commercials are usually safe for family viewing.
“But unfortunately, that is not the case anymore.”
The Hallmark social media channels and complaint board were also littered with complaints.
One viewer stated, “Why would you show a lesbian wedding commercial on the Hallmark Channel?
“Hallmark movies are family-friendly, and you ruined it with the commercial.”
The Commercial
This is the same-sex commercial that had aired on the Hallmark Channel…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=-pVnnGK6BP4&feature=emb_logo
After the complaints, Hallmark removed four of the six ads that were placed by Zola, not because of the content but because they were deemed to be controversial.
A Hallmark account representative informed Zola, “We are not allowed to accept creatives that are deemed controversial.
“The decision not to air overt public displays of affection in our sponsored advertisement, regardless of the participants, is in line with our current policy, which includes not featuring political advertisements, offensive language, R-rated movie content, and many other categories.”
The company also released a statement to Fox News, stating, “The debate surrounding these commercials on all sides was distracting from the purpose of our network, which is to provide entertainment value.”
Zola Chief Marketing Officer Mike Chi responded, “The only difference between the commercials that were flagged and the ones that were approved was that the commercials that did not meet Hallmark’s standards included a lesbian couple kissing.
“Hallmark approved a commercial where a heterosexual couple kissed. All kisses, couples, and marriages are equal celebrations of love, and we will no longer be advertising on Hallmark.”
Expect liberals to pitch a fit about this and there will likely be calls to boycott the network altogether.
Imagine that… getting boycotted for only wanting to portray “traditional normal” family values.